Barnes Chooses to Depart Wyoming Basketball Team

For the second straight week the Wyoming Cowboy basketball team is losing a player. Junior forward Jonathan Barnes is transferring for his senior year.

Barnes decision was confirmed by head coach Allen Edwards in a release from the university Monday afternoon. He joins point guard Jeremy Lieberman, who made a similar choice last week.

Barnes issued a statement on Twitter Monday.

The 6-10 junior averaged just 1.3 points and 1.1 rebounds per game this past season. Barnes played in only 15 games with five starts. His minutes were reduced to 5.4 per contest. The previous season under former head coach Larry Shyatt, Barnes started 23 of the 28 games he played in and got 10.4 minutes per game. He averaged 1.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.

Edwards said in the release,

“Jonathan has been a very good team member his past three seasons. We wish Jonathan all the best.”

According to other media reports Barnes decision also stems from seeking a better system to fit his style of play rather than the up-tempo version the Cowboys play under Coach Edwards. His goal is to play professionally overseas after completing college.

After Lieberman announced his choice to leave last week, incoming freshman Hunter Thompson was awarded a scholarship. With Barnes departure, it opens another scholarship for the Pokes. It could be given to a current walk-on player, such as Nyaires Redding or Cody Kelley, or UW could go after another recruit in the current recruiting period.